Lead Generation vs Brand Awareness: Which Comes 1st.

“80% of marketers who use automation software drive an increased of leads (as much as 451) .” - The Annuitas Group

What's the difference between Brand Awareness & Lead Generation?

Before you dive into the world of lead generation and brand awareness, let's take a step back and understand the difference between the two.

While these two terms may seem confusing, they are actually complementary. Brand awareness helps to attract potential customers, and lead generation helps to convert those potential customers into paying customers.

In this article, we will show you how to find the perfect balance between brand awareness and lead generation to achieve your marketing goals.

Disclaimer: This article may include affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you click on them and make a purchase. Your support helps us continue providing valuable content.

We will cover the following topics:

• How to create a strong brand identity that resonates with your target audience

• How to develop and implement effective brand awareness campaigns

• How to generate leads from your brand awareness campaigns

• How to measure and track the success of your brand awareness and lead generation efforts

Whether you are just starting out or you are looking to take your business to the next level, this article will give you the tools and knowledge you need to succeed with brand awareness and lead generation.

Let’s Get Started…

What is Brand Awareness?

Brand awareness is the action you take to help your customers get familiar with your brand. A simpler way to help you understand brand awareness is to focus on the term "awareness." The word awareness means to make known, well-informed, or to recognize. So, if we add those two words, brand and awareness, you are introducing or making people aware of your brand. Hence, brand awareness.

What is Lead Generation?

Lead generation is the action of attracting like-minded prospects to a gathering place where you can pitch your products or services. As with brand awareness, the answer is in the term itself: lead generation. You are trying to create leads, and this can be done in many ways, such as:

•  content marketing

•  email marketing

•  social media marketing

•  and more

Which is more important: generating leads or making your brand known?

Imagine you're walking down a street, and you see two stores. One store has a big sign that says, "Grand Opening!" The other store has a smaller sign that says "Fine Jewelry."

Which store are you more likely to go into? The store with the big sign is making its brand known. The store with the small sign is generating leads. So, which is more important?

It depends on your goals. If you're just starting out, you need to make people aware of your brand. Once you have some brand awareness, you can start generating leads.But even if you're an established business, brand awareness is still important. People are more likely to buy from brands they know and trust. So, the best answer is to do both. Make your brand known and generate leads at the same time.

5 Brand Awareness Strategies with Examples

1.      Create high-quality content that is relevant to your target audience. This could include blog posts, articles, infographics, videos, e-books or social media post ideas. The goal is to provide your target audience with valuable information that will help them solve their problems or learn something new.

Example: Red Bull creates engaging and informative content about action sports and extreme athletes. This helps to position Red Bull as a brand that is associated with excitement and adventure.

2. Partner with other businesses that are complementary to your own. This could involve co-hosting events, cross-promoting each other's products or services, or even guest blogging on each other's websites. Partnering with other businesses is a great way to reach a new audience and build trust with potential customers.

3. Run targeted advertising campaigns. This could involve using platforms like Google Ads or Facebook Ads to reach people who are already interested in the products or services that you offer. Targeted advertising can be a very effective way to increase brand awareness, but it's important to make sure that your ads are relevant to your target audience and that they offer value.

4. Be active on social media. This involves posting regularly on your social media pages and engaging with your followers. Share interesting and informative content, run contests and giveaways, and respond to comments and questions. Social media is a great way to connect with your target audience and build relationships with potential customers.

5. Get involved in your community. This could involve sponsoring local events, donating to charities, or volunteering your time. Getting involved in your community is a great way to give back and build goodwill for your brand. It can also help you to reach a new audience and generate leads.

5 Lead Generation Strategies with Examples

#1. Webinars

Webinars are effective because they allow you to engage with your audience in real time and provide them with valuable information and insights. Small Biz Automation Hub offers a free webinar on how to automate repetitive daily routines for small businesses, digital agencies, and freelancers. Sign up for our free demo here to learn more.

#2. Lead Magnet

Create a lead magnet. A lead magnet is a valuable piece of content that you offer for free in exchange for a visitor's contact information. Lead magnets can be anything from e-books and white papers to webinars and checklists.

#3. High-Quality Content

1.      Create high-quality content that is relevant to your target audience. This could include blog posts, articles, infographics or videos. The goal is to provide your target audience with valuable information that will help them solve their problems or learn something new.

#4. Collaborations

2.      Partner with other businesses that are complementary to your own. This could involve co-hosting events, cross promoting each other's products or services, or even guest blogging on each other's websites.

Joining other businesses is a great way to reach a new audience and build trust with potential customers.

#5. Video Marketing

Videos can help you to generate more leads by engaging your audience, educating them about your products or services, and building trust.

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Watch the video to learn more about how HighLevel can help you grow your business!

Here are a Few Tips:

• Create a strong brand identity and make sure it's consistent across all of your marketing materials.

• Develop a content marketing strategy to create and distribute valuable content that attracts and engages your target audience.

• Use social media to connect with your target audience and promote your brand.

• Run targeted advertising campaigns to reach people who are already interested in what you have to offer.

• Offer lead magnets, such as e-books, white papers, or webinars, to capture contact information from potential customers.

By following these tips, you can build brand awareness and generate leads at the same time.

Top 7 Proven Lead Generation Strategies?

1.     Building Your Email Contact List

Email marketing originated in the early 1970s, and it remains one of the most effective ways to reach and engage customers because it is direct, personalized, and measurable.

By building a strong email list, you can send regular email newsletters with valuable content and offers that will keep your audience engaged and connected. Our goal as marketers is to keep our brand top of mind!

Stats Attacks:

According to HubSpot, email marketing has an ROI of 3800%. That means that for every $1 you spend on email marketing, you can expect to earn $38 in return. Source:  

According to recent reseach,  (80% of marketers who use automation software drive an increased of leads (as much as 451% more), 77% of them convert more leads then those that don't use automation. (source)

2.     Getting Referral Sales

We all have referred a friend or family member to their fav restaurant to see a movie or the like. And what do they do, the obliged. Why? Because it was advice from someone they know, like and trust. But for some reason we forget that when doing business.

Ask your happy customers to refer you to their friends and colleagues. When they do, offer them a reward, such as a discount on their next purchase or a free gift. This will incentivize them to refer you, and it will also show your appreciation for their business.

Benefits of Referral Sales:

• More are likely to close than sales from cold leads.

• They have a higher lifetime value.

• Helps you to grow your business quickly and cost-effectively.

• Build trust and credibility with new customers.

3.     Companies that Operate in A Niche Market

By focusing on a specific niche market, companies can better understand the needs of their customers and develop products and services that meet those needs. This can lead to higher customer satisfaction, increased loyalty, and more repeat business.

Example:

Warby Parker, an online retailer of eyeglass, operates in the niche market of young people who want affordable, stylist glasses. By focusing on this market. Warby Parker has been able to develop a brand that is reasonating with consumers and disrupting the traditional eyeglass industry.

4.     Find Leads with Online Tools

Online tools can help businesses to find leads more efficiently and effectively than traditional methods. There are a variety of online tools available, such as search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing, and paid advertising.

5.     Digital Word-of-mouth (DWOM)

DWOM is a powerful way to reach new customers and generate leads. When people share positive experiences with your brand online, it can influence others to try your products or services.

 Example:

Starbucks is a company that has mastered the art of DWOM. Starbucks encourages customers to share photos and videos of their coffee and experiences on social media. Starbucks also has a rewards program that encourages customers to keep coming back. As a result of its DWOM strategy, Starbucks has a large and loyal customer base.

6.     Collaboration

Collaborating with other businesses in your industry can help you to reach a new audience and generate leads. You can collaborate with other businesses on content creation, marketing campaigns, and product development.

Collaboration is a powerful way to achieve common goals because it allows people to leverage their strengths, learn from each other, and create something greater than the sum of its parts.

When people collaborate, they are able to pool their resources, knowledge, and skills to achieve something that they could not achieve on their own. This can lead to increased productivity, creativity, and innovation. Collaboration can also help to build relationships and trust between people and teams.

7. Forms, Pop-ups and Chatbots: "The Lead Generation Trifecta".

Forms, pop-ups, and chatbots are simple but effective ways to generate leads because they are:

Easy to implement and use. Any business can create and use these tools, regardless of their size or technical expertise.

Highly targeted. Forms, pop-ups, and chatbots can be targeted to specific visitors based on their interests, demographics, and behavior. This makes them more likely to convert visitors into leads.

Interactive. Forms, pop-ups, and chatbots can be used to start conversations with visitors and learn more about their needs. This information can be used to qualify leads and nurture them through the sales funnel.

Why Forms, Pop-ups, and Chatbots are Often Overlooked:

Forms, pop-ups, and chatbots are often overlooked because businesses are afraid of being intrusive or annoying to their visitors. However, these tools can be used in a way that is both effective and respectful. For example, businesses can use pop-ups to offer visitors a valuable incentive, such as a discount or a free ebook. Businesses can also use chatbots to answer questions and provide support to visitors.

When used correctly, forms, pop-ups, and chatbots can be a powerful way to generate leads and grow your business.

Click Here for an Example:👇👇

Benefits of an Effective Brand Awareness Campaign

1.     Increases sales.

When people are familiar with your brand, they are more likely to buy from you.

A strong brand awareness campaign can help you to reach a wider audience and generate more leads. This can lead to an increase in sales and revenue.

2. Developing Emotional Connections:

A well-crafted brand awareness campaign can help you to connect with your target audience on an emotional level. This can create a sense of loyalty and trust, which can lead to repeat business and positive word-of-mouth.

For example, a brand that is known for its high-quality products and excellent customer service is more likely to develop emotional connections with consumers.

3. Increased Customer Loyalty:

When customers are loyal to your brand, they are more likely to continue buying from you, even if your prices are slightly higher than the competition. Loyal customers are also more likely to recommend your products or services to their friends and family.

A strong brand awareness campaign can help you to create more loyal customers by increasing their familiarity with your brand and the positive associations they have with it.

4. Acquisition via Word-of-Mouth:

Word-of-mouth is one of the most powerful forms of marketing.

When people have a positive experience with your brand, they are likely to tell their friends and family about it.

A strong brand awareness campaign can help you to generate more word-of-mouth marketing by increasing the number of people who are familiar with your brand and the positive associations they have with it.

Example:

 Apple is known for its high-quality technology products, like the iPhone, iPad, and Mac computers.

5. Boost Your Profits

When people are familiar with your brand, they are more likely to buy from you. This is because they are more likely to trust a brand that they know and recognize. Additionally, a strong brand awareness campaign can help you to reach a wider audience and generate more leads, which can lead to an increase in sales and profits.

6. Create New Business Opportunities:

A strong brand awareness campaign can help you to create new business opportunities by attracting new customers and partners. When people are familiar with your brand and the value that you offer, they are more likely to do business with you. Additionally, a strong brand reputation can make it easier to attract new investors and partners.

Example: A company that is known for its innovative products and services is more likely to be able to partner with other companies in its industry. This is because other companies are more likely to want to associate themselves with a well-known and respected brand.

7. Builds Customer Trust:

A well-crafted brand awareness campaign can help you to connect with your target audience on an emotional level. This can create a sense of loyalty and trust, which can lead to repeat business and positive word-of-mouth. For example, a brand that is known for its high-quality products and excellent customer service is more likely to develop emotional connections with consumers.

The Analogy of Brand Awareness and Lead Generation

Imagine a bustling cityscape—the vibrant billboards towering high represent brand awareness, catching the attention of the passersby. Just like these billboards, brand awareness paints a vivid picture of your company in the minds of potential customers, with 89% of marketers acknowledging its pivotal role in success.

However, much like a billboard capturing interest, it's the engaging jingle or striking visuals that linger in memory—just as captivating content fuels lead generation. In fact, businesses that blog regularly generate 67% more leads than those that don't, proving content's allure in attracting and engaging a captivated audience.

Thus, in the grand urban landscape of marketing, brand awareness sets the stage, while lead generation steals the spotlight—each playing a crucial role in this dynamic, ever-evolving play of business success.

Where to Start and Why?

Start branding from the inception of your business; it's the foundational blueprint that guides your company's identity and values, shaping every subsequent decision. Branding gives your venture an authentic voice and visual identity, crucial for establishing a consistent and memorable presence in the market. It's the narrative that sets the stage for all your marketing efforts, creating a resonant story that engages and captivates your audience.

Begin lead generation once your brand has a solid foundation in place, ensuring you have a compelling story to tell and a distinct identity that differentiates you in the market. Lead generation is about turning that brand appeal into actionable results, attracting and converting potential customers into actual sales. It's the stage where your brand's promise is translated into tangible growth, driving revenue and sustainable business expansion.

Conclusion:

In the vibrant landscape of business, initiating a strong brand foundation is akin to laying down the cornerstone of a building; it provides the structure, identity, and purpose that will guide your entire journey.

Crafting a brand story and identity from the very start sets the stage for meaningful connections with your audience, giving you a distinct voice in a crowded market.

Once this foundation is set, it's time to amplify your efforts through lead generation—a strategy that converts your brand's appeal into tangible results, leading your business towards growth and prosperity.

Curious to explore how you can seamlessly integrate automation workflows into your small business operations to supercharge your branding and lead generation efforts? Click the button below and embark on a journey towards efficiency, effectiveness, and unparalleled success. Let's revolutionize your business approach together.

Brand awareness is about getting people to know your name. Lead generation is about getting people to raise their hand and say, "I'm interested in what you have to offer."

FAQ

How does brand awareness affect lead generation?

Brand awareness affects lead generation because it is the spark that ignites lead generation. When people recognize and trust your brand, they're more likely to engage with your offers and become leads, initiating the customer journey.

What are the 4 stages of brand awareness?

The four stages of brand awareness start with 'Unaware' (no knowledge), moving to 'Aware' (recognize the brand), 'Consideration' (consider using), and culminating in 'Preference' (choose over alternatives), representing the evolution of consumer connection and potential conversion.

What is the difference between brand awareness and lead generation marketing?

Brand awareness focuses on visibility and recognition, aiming to build familiarity and trust, while lead generation marketing emphasizes capturing potential customer information, transforming interest into actionable leads for further engagement and conversion strategies.

To learn more about building brand awareness through automation, register for our free 90- minute social media live Demo,  — you’ll learn how to grow your brand with hands-free.

Lead Generation vs Brand Awareness -the Perfect Mix